Report: Wireless Charging (Finally) Coming to iPhone

Feb. 1, 2016, 8 a.m.

Forget wireless charging mats: Apple is reportedly developing technology that can juice up your iDevice over the air.

The company is working with partners in the U.S. and Asia on what Bloomberg called "cutting-edge" tech. It would allow gadgets to recharge when sitting inches or feet away from their power source. Such a technique is currently limited: batteries take longer to charge as the distance between transmitter and receiver grows, for instance.

If the rumors are true, consumers may be ditching their power cords as early as next year, Bloomberg said, citing unnamed sources.

Apple did not immediately respond to PCMag's request for comment.

As Gizmodo pointed out, Washington-based Ossia recently showed off its Cota transmitter, which lets devices charge directly in their hands, no strings attached (literally). Demoed at this month's CES, the cylindrical device is expected to arrive by the end of the year.

Over the years, Apple has acquired a handful of patents outlining various wireless recharging programs—one of which uses near-field magnetic resonance and an iMac at a distance of about 3 feet. Thus far, it has eschewed wireless charging, though. The closest it gets is the Apple Watch's inductive charger, which requires the watch to be placed onto a magnetic charging surface.

Rival Samsung has offered wireless charging for Galaxy devices via charging mats for some time. One of its ad campaigns actually took Apple to task for not offering the same thing.

IKEA also developed furniture (pictured) that can charge up compatible devices, while Starbucks has added charging plates to many of its stores.